Planetary Affinities of Several Asian Medicinal Herbs 1 by dr. farr Note: Relative to the basis applied in making the following allocations, see "Introduction to the Table of Herbal Temperaments" (also see my 1/10/10 posting in that thread) + S A T U R N + Akebia (Mu tong) Aloe vera Amla Bacopa (Brahmi) Bai shao Bitter Orange peel Buplureum Coptis root (Gold Thread) Dandelion whole plant Fo-ti Gardenia flower Gentian root Gromwell (Lithospermum) Isatis Jasmine flower Madder Mahabala Mai men dung Neem Niu bang zi Peony root Punarnava Qian niu Saffron Shatavari Sheng ma Star Jasmine Thuja orientalis seeds (Bo zi ren) Tree Peony (Mu dan pi) Vamsha roc. + J U P I T E R + Apricot seed Ashwangandha Astragallus root Bibhitaki Black Sesame seeds Broomrape (Rou cong rong) Calamus Cordyceps Cotton root bark Cynomorium (Suo yang) Dang shen Deer Antler (animal product) Dong quai Eucommia (Du jung) Fennel seed Gastrodia (Tien ma) Ginseng Guggul Gymnema sylvestris Haritaki Morinda root (Ba ji tien) Musta Myrrh Pyrola Reishi mushroon Rose petals San chi Shiitake mushroom Spikenard Tienchi Wild Yam (Shan yao) + M A R S + Apricot seed Asafoetida Ashwangandha Bai zhi Calamus Camphor Cang zhu Chen xiang Chiang huo Cinnamon bark Cnidium (She chuang zi) Costus (Mu xiang) Corydalis formosa Dong quai Du huo Foenugreek Fo-ti Frankincense (Boswellia) Galangal root Ginger root Ginseng Gokshura Guggul Haritaki Magnolia bark Musta Orange peel Pippili long pepper Polygala (Yuan zhi) Psoralea (Bu gu zhi) Pyrola San chi Schizandra berry Siberian ginseng Spikenard Szechuan pepper Tienchi Teasel Turmeric Wild Yam (Shan yao) Xuan fu hua + S U N + Ajwan Bai zhi Basil (Tulsi) Calamus Camphor Cardamon seed Chen xiang Chiang huo Chuan xiong Clematis Cinnamon bark Cloves Cnidium (She chuang zi) Corydalis formosa Costus (Mu xiang) Cumin seed Curculigo (Hsien mao) Dong quai Du huo Fennel seed Frankincense (Boswellia) Gastrodia (Tien ma) Ginger root Guggul Gu jing cao Gymnema sylvestris Haritaki Horny Goat Weed Jing jie Magnolia flower Morinda root (Ba ji tien) Mugwort Musta Myrrh Orange peel Polygala (Yuan zhi) Psoralea (Bu gu zhi) Sandalwood Sha ren Siberian ginseng Star anise Teasel Turmeric Xuan fu hua + V E N U S + Amla Bala Bamboo root/stem Chyrsanthemum flower Dandelion whole plant Dendrobium (Shih hu) Dwarf Bamboo Eclipta alba (Bhringraj) Fo-ti Gambir Gotu kola Gromwell (Lithospermum) Hibiscus flower Jin yin hua Kudzu Madder Mahabala Mai men dung Mulberry root bark Rehmannia Saffron Shatavari Sheng ma Solomon's Seal Tiger Lily Tiger Thistle (Da jih hua) Tree Peony (Mu dan pi) Vamsha roc. Vidari White Lily Wolfberry root + M E R C U R Y + Aduki bean Amla American ginseng Astragallus root Broomrape (Rou cong rong) Buplureum Cattail (Pu huang) Coriander seed Chinese Dogwood Cotton root bark Dodder (Tu si zi) Eclipta alba (Bhringraj) Fo-ti Foxnut (Qian shi) Gingko biloba Gotu kola Hibiscus flower Jambul seed Jie geng Licorice root Lotus (flower/root/seed) Niu xi Nu jin zi Peach seed Peony root Polygonatum cirr (Huang jing) Reishi mushroom Saffron Schizandra berry Sheng ma Shiitake mushroom Solomon's Seal Thuja orientalis seed (Bo zi ren) Tree Peony (Mu dan pi) Tuckahoe (Poria) Wild Chinese Jujube + M O O N + Ajwan Akebia (Mu tong) Aloe vera Apricot seed Bala Bamboo leaf Bibhitaki Broomrape (Rou cong rong) Clematis Coptis (Gold Thread) Costus (Mu xiang) Cynomorium (Suo yang) Deer Antler (animal product) Dendrobium (Shih hu) Dragon's Blood resin Dwarf Bamboo Haritaki Isatis Kudzu Magnolia bark Mahabala Niu xi Peach seed Punarnava Rehmannia Schizandra berry Thuja orientalis seed (Bo zi ren) Tienchi Tiger Lily Vidari Xuan fu hua Quote Fri Jan 29, 2010 7:15 am
2 by Tom I'm not clear on the connection between Asian plants and traditional Western astrology. Could you clarify this and perhaps explain why it is on the traditional forum? Tom Quote Fri Jan 29, 2010 10:25 pm
3 by dr. farr The astro-therapeutic criteria of traditional Western astrology may be applied in the evaluation and therapeutic application of natural remedies from around the world. Asian herbal medicines (Ayurvedic, Chinese and Japanese) may be subjected to our traditional Western humoral, zodiacal and planetary affinity analyses in the same way that Euro-American herbs are evaluated by our Western astrological criteria. This is what I have done here, applying the analytical criteria I mentioned in my "Introduction to the Table of Herbal Temperaments". Now, these important Asian herbs can be selected for therapeutic consideration by our traditional Western astro-medical models (such as horary and decumbiture technique), rather than by Jyotish or Chinese astrology methods, 5 element theory, tridosha analysis, etc. Quote Sat Jan 30, 2010 4:10 am
4 by Deb Hi dr farr Since this is the traditional forum, I think that Tom is aiming to clarify whether these associations are taken from, or agree with traditional sources. If so, where do they come from? If not, you probably just need to point that out. Also, I think it would be better if you kept all your herbal associations in one thread, so that the topics are kept together, and any discussion on your ideas relates to the same material. Do you want me to copy your other post over to this thread? Deb Quote Sat Jan 30, 2010 8:39 am
5 by dr. farr MY allocations are derived by comparing the humoral and other afffinities given in the texts cited in my "Introduction to the Table of Herbal Temperaments", with the quality of hot/cold/neutral, bitter/astringent/sweet/pungent/spicy/sour/salty affinities of the planets as given by Ibn Ezra. My allocations are different than those recorded in older literature, as I pointed out in the above referenced posting (as also in my 1/10/10 posting in that thread, qv) However, my allocations are entirely based upon traditional qualitative humoral and planetary indications, based upon Ibn Ezra: Saturn: cold, bitter, astringent Jupiter: warm, astringent, sweet Mars: warm/hot, bitter, pungent Sun: warm, spicy Venus: cool, sweet Mercury: neutral; also any bitter, sweet, spicy, astringent, which is neutral; also any sour either neutral, hot or cold; also any pungent/spicy which is cold (following Ibn Ezra in the understanding of Mercury as basically cold+dry in nature, but neutral in joining with other planetary natures) Moon: any salty (hot or neutral or cold); I have also extended Lunar allocation to any herb which is known to exert a significant eliminative effect, due to the traditional association of the Moon with excretory function. It would be great if you would copy all of these herbal postings over into one thread (including the herbal temperament postings) Actually, I had originally thought of these postings as possible articles on your site (rather than on the Forum) ============================================== Moved from the philosphy forum (posted 30 Jan 2010) - DH Planetary Affinities of the 14 Meridians Those Skyscript members interested (or involved) in Oriental Medicine might find the following of some value. While there are some meridian/planet affinities to be found in the literature, I personally have not been much satisfied with them (just as I have not been satisfied with the various astrological and humoral allocations of herbs given in the historical literature) As in the case of herbal remedies, so too regarding the meridians: over the past 2 years my studies (and experiences) have led me to create my own allocation "model": +Governor Vessel: SUN +Conception Vessel: MOON +Bladder Meridian: MOON +Gallbladder Meridian: MARS +Heart Meridian: SUN +Kidney Meridian: SATURN +Large Intestine Meridian: MOON +Liver Meridian: JUPITER -Lung Meridian: MERCURY +Pericardium Meridian: SUN +San Jiao (Triple Heater) Meridian: SUN +Small Intestine Meridian: JUPITER * +Spleen (+Pancreas) Meridian: JUPITER +Stomach Meridian: VENUS (* I am not yet certain of this affinity: it is definitely possible that the more accurate allocation of this meridian is to MARS) Quote Sat Jan 30, 2010 8:59 am
6 by dr. farr HUMORAL & PLANETARY AFFINITIES OF UNANI-TIBB MEDICINAL HERBS +First is the English name of the herb; next is its Tibb name (+ Chishti means a Euro-American herb added by Hakim Chishti in his "Traditional Healer"); following this is the humoral (temperament) allocation, and last is the planetary allocation (if more than 1 planet is mentioned they are listed in alphabetical order) -Acacia, false (Gum Arabic): Aqaquiya; Earth; Venus -Ajwain: (same word); Fire; Moon - Sun -Aloeswood: Qud, Lowah; Air + Fire; Mars - Sun -Aloe Vera: Sabir; Air + Fire + Water; Moon - Saturn -Ammoniacum: Ushaq; Fire; Mars -Aniseed: Anisun; Fire; Mars - Sun -Asafoetida (resin); Hring; Fire; Mars -Balsam Fir; Tanub; Fire; Jupiter - Mars -Barberry root; Amir Baris; Air; Moon - Saturn -Basil; Shahfaran; Fire; Sun -Bayberry bark; (+ Chishti); Air + Fire + Earth; Jupiter - Sun -Beleric myrobalan; Bahera; Air + Fire + Earth; Jupiter-Mars-Moon-Sun -Betel Nut; Faufal; Fire; Mars - Moon -Black Pepper; Murch siah; Fire; Mars -Borage; Lasan al-Thur; Air + Water; Saturn - Venus -Camphor; Kafur; Air + Fire; Mars - Sun -Capsicum; Filfil ah; Fire; Mars -Caraway seed; Karawyah; Fire; Moon (?) - Sun -Cardamon seed; Qaqullah; Fire; Sun -Catnip; (+ Chishti); Fire; Mercury - Saturn -Celandine (Chelidonium maj.); Mamiran Kabir; Air; Moon - Saturn -Chamomile; Babunag; Air + Fire; Mars -Chestnut leaf; Qastal; Water; Mercury - Venus -Chicory; Hindbah; Air; Moon - Saturn -Chyrsanthemum (Feverfew); (+ Chishti); Air; Venus -Cinnamon bark; Dar Chini; Fire + Earth; Mars -Cistus (Rock Rose); Ladan; Water; Mercury - Venus -Clove bud; Qaranful; Fire; Sun -Comfrey root; Irq Injbar; Air + Water; Saturn - Venus -Coriander seed; Kuzbarah; Fire; Mercury -Cottonseed; Cotn; Fire + Earth; Jupiter - Mercury -Cucumber; Khiyar; Water; Moon -Cumin seed; Kammun; Fire; Sun -Date; Tamr; Earth; Venus -Dill; Shalat; Air + Fire; Mercury - Saturn -Dodder seed; Kasoos; Fire + Water; Mercury -Dragons Blood resin; Dam Al-Ak; Fire + Water; Moon -Embelic myrobalan; Amlaj; Air + Fire + Earth; Jupiter-Mars-Moon-Sun -Embelia; Abranajah; Fire; Sun -Eyebright; (+ Chishti); Air + Water; Saturn -Fennel; Shamar; Fire + Water; Jupiter - Sun -Fig; Tin; Water + Earth; Moon - Venus -Foenugreek; Hubba; Air + Fire + Earth; Mars -Frankincense; Al-Kunnuk; Air + Fire + Earth; Mars - Sun -Garlic; Thum; Fire; Mars - Sun -Gentian root; Jantiana; Air; Saturn -Ginger root; Zanjabil; Fire; Mars - Sun -Goldenseal root; (+ Chishti); Air; Moon - Saturn -Grapevine; (+ Chishti); Earth; Mercury - Saturn -Henna; (same word); Air; Saturn -Hops; Hashishah al-Dinar; Air; Saturn -Horehound; Farasiun; Air; Saturn -Hyssop; Zufa; Air + Fire; Moon -Jasmine; Yasmin; Air; Saturn -Jujube; Annab; Earth; Jupiter -Juniper berry; Ar-ar; Air + Fire + Earth; Jupiter - Mars - Sun -Khalonji; (same word); Air + Fire; Mars -Lavender; Ustokhudus; Fire; Mercury -Lemon; Laimum; Air + Earth; Mercury -Licorice root; Meluthi; Water + Earth; Mercury -Lily of the Valley; Mad'af; Air + Earth; Mercury -Linseed/Flaxseed; Kittan; Water + Earth; Mercury - Moon -Lobelia; (+ Chishti); Air; Mercury -Malabar Nut; Arusa; Air; Mercury - Saturn -Malva; Kubbazi; Air + Earth; Saturn - Venus -Mango; Manju; Air + Water + Earth; Moon - Saturn - Venus -Marjoram; Bardnqush; Fire; Sun -Marshmallow root; Khatmiya; Air + Water; Saturn - Venus -Masterwort; (+ Chishti); Air + Fire; Mercury + Moon + Saturn -Mastic; Mustaki; Fire + Earth; Mars - Sun -Meadow Saffron (Colchicum autumnale); Lilah; Fire; Mars -Melilot; Handuq; Fire + Water; Venus -Mugwort; Swaila; Air + Fire; Mars - Sun -Mustard seed; Saljam; Fire; Mars -Myrrh; Murt; Air + Fire + Earth; Jupiter - Mars - Sun -Myrtle leaf; Marsin; Air + Fire + Earth; Mercury - Sun -Nutmeg; Juz al-tibb; Fire; Sun -Olive leaf; Zaitun; Earth; Venus -Partridge berry (Squaw vine); (+ Chishti); Air + Water; Moon - Saturn -Pellitory root; Aquir Qarha; Fire; Mars -Pennyroyal; (+ Chishti); Air + Fire; Mars - Sun -Peppermint; Na'na; Fire; Mercury -Plantain; Lisan; Air + Water; Moon - Saturn -Pomegranate root; Raman; Air + Water; Jupiter-Moon-Saturn-Venus -Poppy; Khashkhas; Air; Saturn -Prickly Ash; (+ Chishti); Air + Fire; Sun -Pumpkin seed; Qar; Water + Earth; Moon -Purslane; Rijla; Water; Mercury - Moon -Quince; Safarjal; Air + Earth; Mercury -Radish; Fujl; Fire + Earth; Jupiter - Mars - Mercury -Raspberry leaf; Aliq aswo; Air + Water; Saturn -Red Clover blossoms; Barsim; Fire + Water; Moon - Venus -Rhubarb; Rawand; Air; Moon - Saturn -Rose petals; Gubab; Air + Fire + Water; Jupiter -Safflower; Qurtum; Air + Fire; Mars - Sun -Saffron; Za faran; Air + Fire + Water; Mercury - Saturn - Venus -Sandalwood; Sandal; Air + Fire + Water; Jupiter - Sun -Sarsaparilla root; Sabarina; Fire + Water + Earth; Jupiter - Mercury -Scabious Devils Bit; (+ Chishti); Earth; Mercury - Venus -Sebestan; Qabbar; Fire; Mars -Senna; Air + Water; Moon - Saturn - Venus -(Black) Sesame seed; Sem sem; Earth; Jupiter -Skunk Cabbage; (+ Chishti); Fire; Sun -Spikenard; (+ Chishti); Fire + Earth; Jupiter - Mars -Sumac; Sumaq; Air + Water; Mercury - Saturn -Syrian Rue; Harmal; Air; Mercury - Saturn -Tamarind; Tamr-hindi; Air; Jupiter - Mercury -Tamarisk; Tarfa; Air + Earth; Saturn -Turmeric; Korkum; Air + Fire; Mars - Sun -Valerian root; Waleriana; Air + Fire; Mars - Sun -(Blue) Violet; Banafsa; Air + Fire; Mercury - Saturn -Walnut; Juz; Air; Jupiter - Moon -Water Lily; Bashnin; Air + Water; Saturn - Venus -Watermelon seed; Tarbuz; Water; Moon -Wild Gourd (Colocynthis); Hanzal; Air; Moon - Saturn -Wormwood; Shih; Air + Fire; Mercury - Saturn -Yerba Santa; (+ Chishti); Fire; Sun Quote Tue Feb 16, 2010 5:56 am
7 by Olivia Thank you so much, Dr Farr! Violet, Rose, Sandalwood, Amber, Frankincense, Myrrh, ambrette (plant musk), Balsam of Peru, Jasmine, Lily of the Valley, and Patchouli are some of the most used attars in Unani-Tibb - and of course all sorts of mixtures of them, as well as Hina (good luck getting anybody's recipe for that one, though!), Vetivert and sometimes Ylang Ylang. As well as some psuedo-attars - not false, but things like using Balsam of Peru with a few other attars to mimic Vanilla, or various floral fragrances that can't readily be got by themselves. Interestingly, jasmine is the most common adjunct treatment for depression. Violet for calm, being overheated, and helping sleep (Avicenna thought very highly of violet!), ambrette musk for palpitations and seizure - it's also thought to help with overweight, and a mix of seven of them called Shafayat (healer in Arabic) as an 'all heal' concoction. It's interesting to see your correspondences. I studied with the Chisti order, but I had some problems with some of my hakim's astrological associations. Avicenna didn't use them at all, of course, but a lot of hakims and hakimas do. I really appreciate your list! Quote Tue Feb 16, 2010 9:34 am